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Small Press Bookwatch

Volume 12, Number 2 February 2013 Home | SPBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice World History Shelf Architecture Shelf
Buddhist Studies Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf Self-Help Shelf
Poetry Shelf Holocaust Studies Shelf Fiction Shelf
Aviation Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Social Issues Shelf
Memoir Shelf Journalism Shelf Christian Studies Shelf
Pets/Wildlife Shelf Graphic Novel Shelf Parenting Shelf
Health/Medicine Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf Psychology Shelf
LGBT Shelf    


Reviewer's Choice

Top 10 Email Scams
Kathleen McMahon
KTMObooks
1450 Chestnut Street #102
San Francisco, CA 94123
9781938831003 $14.95 KTMObooks.com

Volume one of the "Internet Scams Revealed Series", Top 10 Email Scams: Detect & Protect Yourself from Online Scams is an absolute "must-read" for anyone and everyone who makes use of the Internet, whether for professional commerce or simply emailing their friends. Chapters explain in plain terms some of the most common online con games. For example, in the "Fake Buyer" scam, the criminal pretends to buy goods and "overpay" with a certified check or credit card, and requests the seller to wire the difference (typically via Western Union or MoneyGram) to them or their "shipping company". By the time the seller's bank determines that the certified check is a fake, or that the credit card number was stolen, the seller is on the hook for the entire amount and the scammer has disappeared with all the wired money. "Do NOT do wire transfers. Period. No Western Union, no MoneyGram. Don't accept wire transfers as any part of a transaction (especially you forwarding extra money via wire transfer) and you'll avoid a lot of purchase-related and check-cashing email scams." Other scams covered include identity theft, "phishing" (tricking people into entering their passwords into fake websites, etc.), dating scams, lottery scams, and more. Plain terms and sample fraudulent emails help make Top 10 Email Scams crystal clear to readers of all backgrounds. A wealth of valuable tips and tricks for avoiding scams, a "don't panic" list of steps to take when one has been scammed, and glossary of common terms concerning Internet fraud round out this invaluable guide, worthy of the highest recommendation for modern library collections. In today's digital age, Volume 2: Social Media Scams and Volume 3: More Email Scams should also be required reading for the general public!

Surviving Wildfire
Linda Masterson
PixyJack Press, Inc.
PO Box 149
Masonville, CO 80541
9781936555154 $16.95 www.SurvivingWildfire.com

In 2011, the Colorado home of Linda Masterson burned to the ground. She has since dedicated herself researching and consulting with experts about the threat of wildfires, which destroy thousands of homes and consume millions of acres annually. Surviving Wildfire: Get Prepared, Stay Alive, Rebuild Your Life is packed cover to cover with need-to-know information about assessing one's risk of fire, valuable precautions to take, what to do in the middle of an emergency, and how to deal with insurance companies both before and after disaster strikes. A great deal of the invaluable tips, tricks, and techniques are not immediately obvious - such as the fact that building sites on high slopes are greater fire hazards (wildfires race uphill much faster than they travel on level terrain). "The roar of an approaching wildfire is both deafening and terrifying. You'll want to leap up and run outside, but if you do, you'll probably die. Experts emphasize that to survive, you have to stay inside until the fire front passes... no matter how hot it gets in the house, it's four to five times hotter outside, and the air is filled with smoke and deadly gasses. Stay as close to the floor as possible, cover up with blankets or coats and wait for the fire front to pass." Surviving Wildfire is worthy of the highest recommendation, especially for anyone who lives in or near fire-prone lands; reading it could literally save lives.

Crossing the Border
Ksenia Rychtycka
Little Creek Books
PO Box 701, Johnson City, TN 37605
9781939289018, $10.95, www.jancarolpublishing.com

With little hope in her homeland, one seeks to look elsewhere. "Crossing the Border" is a collection of short stories from Ukrainian writer Ksenia Rychtycka, as she tells many stories surrounding the Ukraine as well the world around it, telling of characters facing events of the nation's recent history and their personal journeys. With a good dose of humor and insight into the lives of the Ukraine, "Crossing the Border" is a must for any international fiction collection.

Dive in Face First
Michele Olzack
Ferne Press
366 Welch Road, Northville, MI 48167
9781938326011, $10.95, www.nelsonpublishingandmarketing.com

The path of our life can often be uncertain, but finding the way can be done. "Dive in Face First!: It's a Wild Life" is a story of personal growth and inspiration as Michele Olzack tells the story of blue heron Harvey as he deals with the tough choices in his life as he pieces together what he wants out of his life. "Dive in Face First" is an inspirational pick for readers of any age, not to be overlooked.


The World History Shelf

Britain And The Making Of Argentina
Gordon Bridger
WIT Press
25 Bridge Street, Billerica, MA 01821
9781845646844, $59.00, www.amazon.com

"Britain And The Making Of Argentina" by Gordon Bridger is a 172 page illustrated social and economic history of Britain's involvement in the transformation of Argentina from an agrarian Spanish colony into a modern state. Of special note is the author's informed and informative analysis of why Argentina s economic development lost momentum after the second world war. A seminal and comprehensive work of outstanding scholarship, "Britain And The Making Of Argentina" is enhanced with a bibliography. Especially recommended reading for journalists, historians, and economists with an interest in Argentine history and British international diplomacy, "Britain And The Making Of Argentina" will prove to be a valued addition to academic library Political Science, Argentina History reference collections and International Studies supplemental reading lists.


The Architecture Shelf

The Future Of The City
K. Al-Kodmany & M. M. Ali
WIT Press
c/o Computational Mechanics Inc.
25 Bridge Street, Billerica, MA 01821
9781845644109, $374.00, www.amazon.com

Climate change not only affects agriculture, it affects cities as well. Just one more complication to urban live along with rising populations, degrading infrastructures, pollution, and a host of other ailments. "The Future of the City: Tall Buildings and Urban Design" by the team of Kheir Al-Kodmany (Associate Professor in the Department of Urban Planning and Policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he teaches urban design and physical planning) and Mir M. Ali (Professor Emeritus and former Structures Division Chairman in the School of Architecture at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he teaches Structures courses) is a 460 page compendium that focuses upon reshaping our overcrowded cities into a more vertical design, making our urban centers more liveable and more efficient. "The Future Of The City" covers everything from city skylines, to architectural and engineering issues, to ecological sustainability, and more. Of special note is the concluding chapter on future and visionary skyscrapper cities. A seminal body of work, ""The Future of the City: Tall Buildings and Urban Design" is highly recommended as a core addition to academic library Architectural Studies and Urban Design Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.


The Buddhist Studies Shelf

Unshakable Spirit
Kentetsu Takamori
Ichimannendo Publishing, Inc.
970 West 190th Street, Suite 920
Torrance, CA 90502
9780979047183, $14.95, www.i-ipi.com

Nature is cruel, and humanity needs every bit of spirit it can get to stand steadfast against it. "Unshakable Spirit: Stories of Compassion and Wisdom" is a collection of stories and anecdotes of wisdom and healing, of mankind's best side coming out to help one another in the face of evil. "Unshakable Spirit" draws heavily from spirituality and Buddhism, and presents much to lift the spirits in the face of life's harsh nature.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

The Stray Pitch
Marilyn Bos
Winks Books
PO Box 1827, North Mankato, MN 56002
9781938237027, $12.95, www.marilynjbos.com

Sportsmanship seems to be the furthest thing away in women's baseball. "The Stray Pitch" is an intriguing novel of the women's baseball league and the 1950s. Young Wendy is hired into the league, despite her lack of skill; her true purpose is not on the diamond but rather to find a murderer! "The Stray Pitch" is a must for historical fiction collections focused on mystery and history.

The Williamette Saloon Haunting
Lisamarie Jelderks
Imago Press
3710 East Edison, Tucson, AZ 85716
9781935437536, $18.00, www.imagopress.com

The past always sits there waiting for us if it is left behind. "The Williamette Saloon Haunting" is a paranormal mystery focusing around Lisamarie Jelderks' Tuesday Brousseau. With a knack for sensing the unusual in her home town of Portland, Oregon, she explores the history behind a troubled building of the past. "The Williamette Saloon Haunting" is a riveting read of ghost stories and haunting, sure to appeal to many a reader, highly recommended.

Wasp's Nest
Gabriel Valjan
Winter Goose Publishing
2701 Del Paso Road, 130-92, Sacramento, CA 95835
9780988184534, $16.99, www.wintergoosepublishing.com

With the advances of science, there comes controversy in what's to be done with it. "Wasp's Nests" is a thriller from Gabriel Valjan as Bianca tries to find the roots of a conspiracy spiraling among cancer research and those with unusual ideas on how to advance. With uncertainty everything and the threat of betrayal looming, "Wasp's Nests" is an enticing addition to thriller collections.

The Raven's Seal
Andrei Baltakmens
Top Five Books
521 Home Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60304
9780985278755, $14.00, www.top-five-books.com

Intent goes far in conviction. "The Raven's Seal" is a historical mystery, following William Quillby and Cassie Redruth seek to defend an old friend from accusations of murder. As time runs short, they must act quickly before the man they defend meets his end in the ruthless Bellstrom Gaol. With many clues indicating who may be truly responsible for a murder in the night, Andrei Baltakmens uses the backdrop of 1700s England very well for a thematic and riveting tale. "The Raven's Seal" is a must for mystery lovers who also enjoy the setting of pre-Victorian England.

The Classic Rockers Reunion with Death
RJ McDonnell
Killeena Publishing
PO Box 3611, Scranton, PA 18505
9780981491479, $12.95, www.rjmcdonnell.com

Rock and roll is an allure that can't be resisted. "The Classic Rockers Reunion with Death" is a murder mystery and entry into RJ McDonnell's Rock & Roll Mystery series following the continuing adventures of San Diego PI Jason Duffy, this time trying to find out who thwarted a rock band's forty year reunion. Delving into the tattered history of the band, "The Classic Rockers Reunion with Death" is a page turner for fans of rock and roll and whodunnits.

Murder on Kilimanjaro
Charles G. Irion & Ronald J. Watkins
CGI Irion Books
4462 E. Horseshoe Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85028
9780984161874, $25.95, www.Irionbooks.com

The country can wait when family is on the line. "Murder on Kilimanjaro" is an entry into Charles G. Irion & Ronald J. Watkins' Summit Murder mystery series. Scott Devlon is hired to be the president's guide as he looks for his lost son on the top of Africa's tallest mountain, Kilimanjaro. Finding that this guidance job goes beyond being bizarre because it's for an American president, there may be more that hangs in the balance than a son, a president, or his country. "Murder on Kilimanjaro" is well worth considering for lovers of mystery and suspense.

Severed Threads
Kaylin McFarren
Creative Edge Publishing LLC
8440 NE Alderwood Road, Suite A
Portland, OR 97220
9781475186529, $14.95, www.KaylinMcFarren.com

Running forever never truly works. "Severed Threads" follows the pain that Rachel Lyons copes with as he deals with the loss of her father. Trying to withdraw from the world, her plans are thwarted when her brother is in danger, which rushes Rachel into facing the fears that she wished she could leave behind. "Severed Threads" is a strong addition to contemporary thriller collections, much recommended.


The Self-Help Shelf

Free To Love, Free To Heal
David Simon, M.D.
Chopra Center Press
c/o SCB Distributors
15608 South New Century Drive
Gardena, CA 90248-2129
www.scbdistributors.com
9780981964010, $18.95, www.amazon.com

Deepak Chopra (born October 22, 1946) is an Indian-born American physician, a holistic health/New Age guru, and perhaps the wealthiest and most famous of America's alternative medicine practitioners. One of his legacies is the Chopra Center for Well Being which was co-founded by David Simon, author of "Free to Love, Free to Heal: Heal Your Body by Healing Your Emotions", a 224 page compendium offering a five-step, do-it-yourself program to eliminate toxic and 'life-damaging' beliefs that generate psychological depression, unwarranted anxiety, chronic pain, obesity, addictive behaviors, chronic fatigue, even such health issues as heart disease, digestive impairments, and other physical health problems. Based upon Eastern healing traditions as those introduced by Deepak Chopra, and augmented with breakthroughs in neuroscience, psychology, and western medicine, "Free to Love, Free to Heal: Heal Your Body by Healing Your Emotions" is informed, informative, practical, 'user friendly', and highly recommended for personal, community, and academic Self-Help/Self-Improvement reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Dear Dr. V
Dr. Marilyn Varadi
Voice for Life
20 Clent Road Suite 2v
Great Neck, NY 11021
9780615670515, $14.95, www.voiceforlife.org

Down to earth advice can sooth the heart. "Dear Dr. V" is a collection of advice columns from Dr. Marilyn Varadi, as she compiles her wit and wisdom from her periodic column in the Tower Times, with advice on every day life and living it to the most out of life while avoiding the barrage of the field that may torture us. "Dear Dr. V" is a strong addition to any self-help and motivational collection, much recommended.

Do Right, Do Good
Jean Alerte & Zangba Thomson
Alerte, Carter & Associates LLC
174 Bogart Street, Suite 208
Williamsburg, NY 11206
9780615588575, $19.95, www.amazon.com

The will to succeed can take you far in your career. "Do Right, Do Good" is an inspirational read from Jean Alerte & Zangba Thomson as they draw strongly from faith to inspire readers to piece together their own ideas of faith and success on many levels, with down to earth wisdom to draw themselves forward. With an aim at young black men and women, "Do Right, Do Good" is very much recommended for inspirational collections.

Lies, Love, & Life
Cathy Holloway Hill
C. Holloway Hill Enterprises
c/o Ladybug Publishing Company
PO Box 781233, Indianapolis, IN 46278
97897468415559, $14.95, www.chollowayhill.com

Living for you should be living what you truly want, not the idea that others have for you. "Lies, Love, & Life" is a guide to motivating and inspiring the self in the pursuits of everyday life as Cathy Holloway Hill presents much to ponder about trying to find happiness in one's life whether the missing component in business success or romantic success. "Lies, Love, & Life" has plenty to consider for those trying to find a better link to what we want out of life.

Be Happy No Matter What
Ellen Seigel
Clear Path Publishing
6161 Busch Blvd., Suite 120, Columbus, OH 43229
9780985762308, $17.95, www.BeHappyNoMatterWhat.com

Fulfillment is so very often in our own hands. "Be Happy No Matter What: 5 Steps to Inner Freedom" a spiritually empowering self-help guide from Ellen Seigel who offers how to take better control of the self, realizing one's own worth and treating your life like it truly means something as you go through it all. "Be Happy No Matter What" is a must for general health and wellness collections, not to be overlooked.

Leading with Integrity
George B. Brunt
Lunar Publishing
1093 E. Grove Creek Dr.
Pleasant Grove, UT 84062
97809838118151, $16.95, www.lunarpublishing.com

A good peace of mind can go far in making the difference in our lives. "Leading with Integrity: Build Your Capacity For Success and Happiness" is an inspirational read from George B. Brunt about building integrity as a business leader and its importance for long term success, and applying those lessons to elsewhere in our lives. "Leading with Integrity" is a must for self-help and inspirational collections, highly recommended.

Interiority Powered
Hugh Leonard
Diorese Books
5918 South Croft Avenue, Los Angles, CA 90056
9780985341503, $25.95, www.interioritypowered.com

A fulfillment can drive us to go beyond the call of duty in production. "Interiority Powered: How to Use Your Inner Energies at Work" is both a spirituality and a business self-help guide from Hugh Leonard who analyzes the ancient concept of interiority, where one comes to know the inner self, their faith, and their potential to succeed and find their own path to their life's successes. "Interiority Powered" is worth considering for those who believe they are losing sight of direction for their business, highly recommended.


The Poetry Shelf

Somewhere Piano
Sarah Busse
Mayapple Press
362 Chestnut Hill Road, Woodstock, NY 12498
9781936419135, $14.95, www.mayapplepress.com

Poetry can let our passion of life be known. "Somewhere Piano" is a collection of poetry from Sarah Busse who brings forth a refreshing and insightful collection of thought and verse. "Somewhere Piano" is a very much fun read that shouldn't be overlooked for contemporary poetry collections. "Love Muddies the Water": Love muddies the water,/troubles it like we hoped God/would with his big stick,/turns what was quick/and cold and free to clot/and mire. I love you. Glub, glub./Caught in too many tangles made/of old bones, old blinks,/no one knows what to do/with this bad star, drug/trip from which we never return/(not to mention the birds)/and rainbows at surprising angles.

Black Crow Dress
Roxane Beth Johnson
Alice James Books
238 Main Street, Farmington, ME 04938
9781882295951, $15.95, www.alicejamesbooks.org

Poetry can tell a narrative much like any other text. "Black Crow Dress" is a collection of poetry from Roxane Beth Johnson, an award winning poet with much experience under her belt. Presenting lyrical verse that tells the story of life and living from her perspective, "Black Crow Dress" is a vital addition to any contemporary poetry assortment. "The Last Days of Slavery": There was talk they'd free all slaves. I kept none but my Caroline./Oh, heart in a fist, you could fry it in oil and swallow it with/whiskey. My wife would not cook for me. Cold food. I sold as many as I could: babies went slow; for the boys, I got my/can of coins. Caroline, I would not let go. Oh blood draining/in a bowl kept time like a run-down clock./They all left my house, my fields drowned in dust. Caroline, her mouth tight as/a rosebud; my fingers knew her stem.

To Inhabit The Felt World
Susan Gardner
Red Mountain Press
PO Box 32205 Santa Fe, NM 87594
9780985503116, $16.95, www.redmountainpress.us

The world as we know it is so very quaint. "To Inhabit the Felt World" is a collection of poetry from Susan Gardner, as she presents her own unique interpretation of the universe as we know it. With a certain dose of awareness and wisdom, "To Inhabit the Felt World" is a fine addition to contemporary poetry collections, recommended. "Galaxy": In West Virginia red strips of afternoon/meet the evening over village novas.//Each point in new dark/shines strand of light one to another.//The last of winter afternoon/glitters on past summer fertility,/ignites geometry of frozen irrigation/circles inside square girdles//Ponds, still now, show the last motion of fall.

My Brother in Common Time
Deborah Kroman
Finishing Line Press
PO Box 1626, Georgetown, KY 40324
9781622290932, $14.00, www.finishinglinepress.com

Our bonds in life can carry us many places. "My Brother in Common Time" is a collection of poetry from Deborah Kroman who touches on the interpersonal relationships of life, and uses her award winning and prolific style to offer much insight on the poignancy of life all throughout. "My Brother in Common Time" is a choice read for general poetry collections, highly recommended. "Cameo": Rarely now do I peek through the window/of the dollhouse where I keep my brother./His baseball glove lies cupped on his bed/ready for the next game. A utility player,//sent out to field high wide drives,/he would trot backwards, scanning/the white sky for the ball--/it drove like a bird into his open hand.

Two Colors of the Soul
Dmytro Pavlychko
Cervena Barva Press
PO Box 440357, W. Somerville, MA 02144-3222
9780988371309, $17.00, www.cervenabarvapress.com

Our being is never simply one thing, but a palette of many. "Two Colors of the Soul" is a collection of poetry from long time writer and literary figure Dmytro Pavlychko. Enticing and drawing on the issues of international democracy and the world, and deftly translated by a skilled roster, "Two Colors of the Soul" is a must for international poetry collections, highly recommended. "Too Late Too Soon": In whatever century/you're born/it will always be too late and too soon!/Too late, because everything most important/in this world/has already happened without you,/too soon, because everything most important/in this world/will happen without you too.

The School of the Americas
David Rigsbee
Black Lawrence Press
326 Bigham Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15211
9780983794509, $14.00, www.blacklawrence.com

The American culture is truly unlike any other, for better or for worse. "The School of the Americas" is a collection of poetry from David Rigsbee as he explores the state of America, and explores our thoughts and place in the greater picture of our lives. "The School of the Americas" is an enticing assortment of poetry, not to be overlooked. "Elsewhere": I'm listening to the same birdsong over/and over. It's what the bird is putting/out there from inside the scalloped leaf/layers, then borne on the hot air/of a quiet afternoon. Something picks it up,/in some other tree, not the same song, but/consistent with its hammering repetition, only/elsewhere. That's the thing, isn't it?

To the Stars Through Difficulties
Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg, editor
Mammoth Publications
1916 Stratford Rd., Lawrence, KS 66044
9780983799597, $18.00, www.mammothpublications.com

Poetry does not have to be a solitary voice in the darkness. "To the Stars Through Difficulties: A Kansas Renga in 150 Voices" is a collection of poems in the form of the Renga, a variation of the Haiku that embraces collaboration. All from Kansas, they discuss their home and the lore that has formed over the ages around the state. "To the Stars Through Difficulties" is a unique assortment of verse, highly recommended. A Sample, by Ignacio Carvajal: We dig into the clay/with a hope that is almost fear of finding/what we know to be impossible./Kansas knows what water is. It too knows/how to burn, how to evaporate/what we think we know,/what we think we are,/where we think we come from./We may call for more hands, but not even/archeologists can tell what we may find.

The Refugee Camp
John Drury
Turning Point
PO Box 541106
Cincinnati, OH 45254-1106
9781936370498, $18.00, www.amazon.com

A war lost, a nation divided. "The Refugee Camp" is a collection of poetry that explores the German mindset as an outsider looking in during the East/West division all throughout the Cold War. Insightful and wisely diving into the many aspects of human nature, national shame, and its future, "The Refugee Camp" is a strong addition to any contemporary and literary poetry collection.


The Holocaust Studies Shelf

Useful Enemies
Richard Rashke
Delphinium Books
PO Box 703, Harrison, NY 10528
9781883285517, $29.95, www.delphiniumbooks.com

Can a horribly reprehensible monster be useful? "Useful Enemies: John Demjanjuk and America's Open-Door Policy For Nazi War Criminals" analyzes the unusual actions of American immigration surrounding Nazi Germany and Europe's Jews. Chronicled are the acts of John Demjanjuk, a one-time Nazi collaborator who, among other Nazi war criminals, was allowed to enter America while Jewish refugees were kept out. "Useful Enemies" is an a unique dark history of espionage and manipulation between America and the Third Reich.


The Fiction Shelf

Unbridled Greed
Barry Johnson
Rocochi Ridge Publishing
1500 Split Rock Drive #121, Ivins, UT 84738
9780986024603, $14.99, www.rocochiridgepublishing.com

Unfettered greed stops at nothing to increase the bottom line. "Unbridled Greed" is a novel of health care fraud and extortion that many Americans face as Bryan Hampton and Paul Dixon, legal crusaders with the backing of the Department of Justice, as they delve deep into health care fraud on many levels and seek stop the use and abuse of the American people. A very relevant topic that will ring true with many an American, "Unbridled Greed" is not to be missed for contemporary fiction collections.

Of Stampedes, Runaway Trains, & Riverboat Scoundrels
James C. O'Donnell
Bedside Books
c/o American Book Publishing
14510 Big Basin Way #155
Saratoga Village, CA 95070
9781489826571 $18.00 www.american-book.com

Of Stampedes, Runaway Trains, & Riverboat Scoundrels in the Rip Roaring Days of the West is an enthralling anthology of original short fiction set in the colorful days when the American West was wild, and known for its legendary heroes and villains. Told in a folksy, down-to-earth style, Of Stampedes, Runaway Trains, & Riverboat Scoundrels brings the knife-edge times of yore to alluring, dangerous life. From fistfights to gun battles, con games to outlaw muggings, there is mystery, banditry, and rugged survival aplenty in these brief tales, some of which feature real-life legends such as Wyatt Earp among their cast of characters! Highly recommended for fans of action-packed westerns.

Jade Beach
J.W. Winslow
Fresh Art
PO Box 2864, Carmel, CA 93921
c/o Brickman Marketing
9780965818230 $24.95 www.jwwinslow.com

Also available in an ebook edition enhanced with music, links, and art, Jade Beach: Mystic Adventures in Big Sur Volume II is an evocative novel continuing the grand and mystical journey of Dyanna Falconer. From Paris to Sicily, New York, and Los Angeles, Dyanna's journey crosses paths with lovers and antagonists, until a looming natural disaster forces her to make hard choices. A sensual tale pairing adventure, intrigue, and passion amid a backdrop overshadowed by powerful forces of nature, Jade Beach is worthy of being savored as a summer vacation of the mind.

You're Busting My Nuptials
Ann Everett
Raven's Wing Books
c/o Briona Glen Publishing
PO Box 3285, Peterborough, NH 03458-3285
9781618070838, $15.99, www.brionaglen.com

Cold feet are one thing, but vanishing entirely is something else. "You're Busting My Nuptials" is a humorous adventure of marriage running away. Tizzy Donovan thought she'd finally found the man to make her whole again. The man, however, fails to appear for the wedding, and Tizzy is off on an adventure to find out where she went. "You're Busting My Nuptials" is a wonderfully lighthearted read, recommended.

My Last Summer With You
Fidelis O. Mkparu
Dog Ear Publishing
4010 W. 86th Street, Ste H, Indianapolis, IN 46268
9781457512582, $15.99, www.dogearpublishing.com

Friendship can be formed anywhere, and the threats to those bonds are not always clear. "My Last Summer With You: No Fanfare for a Withered Rose" is a novel of friendship telling of an African student traveling over seas to a new school, trying to form friendships along the way, facing the weight of racism that bears down on them. Exploring the notions of the base causes of racism as well as what causes friendship, "My Last Summer With You" is an enticing and thoughtful read, not to be missed.

Leaving Tuscaloosa
Walter Bennett
Fuze Publishing
1350 Beverly Rd., McLean, VA 22101
9780984990832, $16.95, www.fuzepublishing.com

Discrimination in America reached its boiling point in the early 1960s. "Leaving Tuscaloosa" is a historical novel set in 1962 Alabama. When a riot erupts, childhood friends across races are brought together, as a witch hunt begins when one of them is accused of killing a police officer. Following the escalation of violence and what it can do to a friendship, "Leaving Tuscaloosa" is an excellent historical novel, very much recommended reading.

Vengeance
Alfred V. Cafiero
Biographical Publishing Company
95 Sycamore Drive
Prospect, CT 06712-1493
9781929882762 $18.95

World War II veteran Alfred V. Cafiero presents Vengeance, a high-stakes novel set just after the American Civil War. Pioneers from the East sought hope, opportunity, and security by owning land in the West. But the wild frontier was also prone to the depredations of monsters in human form. When three desperados rape and slaughter young Billy Reed's homestead family, Billy dedicates himself to making them pay for their heinous crimes. Joe Young, an expert in tracking outlaws, and the sharp-shooting Simon Ganz join Billy in his crusade for rough justice. Billy, Joe, and Simon form a bond as close as blood kinship in this exciting saga of crime, survival, and punishment in the Old West.

Mad Dog House
Mark Rubinstein
Thunder Lake Press
196 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897
9780985628646, $12.99, www.thunderlakepress.com

Trying to make something better after a tattered history is never truly easy. "Mad Dog House" is a novel of going straight and staying straight from a troubled past. Roddy Dolan has met success, but years later after escaping his dark life, it wants to drag him back as old 'brothers' and business men appear seeking favors and support. Roddy finds himself being entangled with various mobs and seeing long buried habits re-emerge. "Mad Dog House" is an enticing read of crime drama, very much recommended reading.

Lonewalker
Gary J. Cook
Inari Publishing
804 North College Avenue, Ste. 101
Bloomington, IN 47404
9780985083335, $12.99, www.inarionline.com

Survival can be a tough endeavor to face. "Lonewalker" is a novel from Gary J. Cook, telling of Ben Tails, a Vietnam Veteran Marine Corp Sniper who finds himself lost in the wilderness of Japan and faced with the strict endeavor of survival and the task ahead of him. Drawing from the author's own experience, "Lonewalker" is an exciting adventure of survival, action, and adventure.

The House's Money
Owen Sullivan
Authority Publishing
11230 Gold Express Dr. #310-413
Gold River, CA 95670
9781935953357, $16.95, www.authoritypublishing.com

Life's ambition is always a rough and difficult endeavor. "The House's Money" is a novel from Owen Sullivan as he presents a story of young ambition following young Matt Whiteside as he deals with his rising career and is entranced in a romance with another real estate rising star in Stephanie. Their romance is whirlwind as the drive for money encompasses both and the bubble they built on may soon burst. "The House's Money" is an exciting and riveting read for general fiction collections, highly recommended.

The Emancipating Death of a Boring Engineer
Michel Bruneau
CePages Press
8765 Fairbook Court, Suite 201
East Amherst, NY 14051
9780982475263, $14.95, www.michelbruneau.com

When you divorce them, you're suppose to be free of them. "The Emancipating Death of a Boring Engineer" is a humorous twist of romance from Michel Bruneau, following the death of Keene, the titular boring engineer. Camina, his ex-wife ends up charged with carrying out his last wishes despite not talking to him for a decade. Faced with many strange characters that weren't her former husband's friends but apparently come out of the woodwork in his death, "The Emancipating Death of a Boring Engineer" has plenty of humor with its own take on the romance, very much recommended reading.

Rattlesnakes, Ghosts, and Murderers
Len Francis Monahan
Greta Fox
PO Box 571, CA 93614
9780615681658, $17.50, www.greta-fox.com

The Old West is filled with uncertainty and wonder for many. "Rattlesnakes, Ghosts, and Murderers" is the first novel of a series from Len Francis Monahan, focusing on a wild western setting that presents many curious adventures of the people there, drawing strongly on humor throughout. Exciting and engaging, "Rattlesnakes, Ghosts, and Murderers" is a strong pick for fans of the Old West, recommended.

Cartwheel
Sneed B. Collard III
Bucking Horse Books
PO Box 8507, Missoula, MT 59807
9780984446032, $17.00, www.buckinghorsebooks.com

A rare coin has much mystery surrounding it. "Cartwheel" is a follow up to Sneed B. Collard's previous novel Double Eagle. A rare coin brings friends Mike and Kyle back together after years apart, and this time they come together to protect Kyle's sister, Annie, from what she won't reveal to them. A story of friendship, adventure, and classic cars, "Cartwheel" is an entertaining read, not to be overlooked.

That Rainy Day
F. De Sales Meyers
Abecedarian Books
2817 Forest Glen Drive
Baldwin, MD 21013
9780982298572, $24.99, www.abeced.com

Tragedy can have long lasting impacts on our lives. "That Rainy Day" is the novel of a young woman, coping with the sudden loss of her mother deep in Baltimore city. Veronica Adamo, with no mother to guide her, falls into the dark parts of the city. Poignant tales about a woman struggling to survive and get by, and the influence that a neighborhood can have on the youths, "That Rainy Day" is a choice and recommended pick, not to be missed.

A Time to Cast Away Stones
Elise Frances Miller
Sand Hill Review Press
PO Box 1275, San Mateo, CA 94401
9781937818036, $25.00, www.sandhillreviewpress.com

The sixties were a time of change in more than one regard. "A Time to Cast Away Stones" is a novel following an American girl who with her distaste for the Vietnam War gets shipped off to Paris, only to be caught in another upswing of protests and revolts against DeGaulle's France. "A Time to Cast Away Stones" is a coming of age tale that brings another element to the cultural revolutions of the 1960s.

Love, Greed, and Lies
D. W. Harper
Haymar Books
1719 Plantation Oaks Dr.
Jacksonville, FL 32223
9780984873609, $14.00, www.haymarbooks.com

One needs affluence in more than just money to be happy. "Love, Greed, and Lies" is a novel set in a small town centered around two families and two children who live among them. Decades apart finally bring two twins back together after being separated at birth, and the revelations that follow will alter the course of the town and the people in it. "Love, Greed, and Lies" is a riveting and personal blend of drama and mystery, recommended.

Catching the Drift
A. M. Hartsock
Bartleby Press
8600 Foundry Street, Savage Mill, Cotton Shed Building
Savage, MD 20763
9780910155960, $16.95, www.catchingthedrift.com

When you have love, survival seems all the more sweet. "Catching the Drift" is a novel of psychological romance, as Alex flees Montana for Kansas City. Finding love there, they learn much about life, and the unusual nature of their minds and thoughts in the process. "Catching the Drift" invokes the feeling of the early 90s and disaffected youth well, and explores the nature of the general human psyche as well, highly recommended.

Being Christian
K. C. Boyd
Rebel Island Press
5042 Wilshire Blvd, Ste. 18306
Los Angeles, CA 90036
9780985521707, $12.95, www.rebelislandpress.com

Religion can be a great moral pillar in our lives, but it can easily become an enabler. "Being Christian" is a psychological novel following the descent into madness of John Christian Hillcox, the pastor of a Texas Megachurch who uses his church to rally against everything he views as immoral while being far from moral himself. Paining the picture of a flawed human being giving into those flaws and exploring the impact that the religious right has in America today, "Being Christian" is a fine addition to literary fiction collections.

Seeing God
Thomas A. Williams
Williams & Company Publishers
1317 Pine Ridge Drive
Savannah, GA 31406
9781878853028, $16.95, www.pubmart.com

Tragedy can bring us all too closer to the cruel insights of life and living it. "Seeing God" is a novel following Theo Lee, a man who struggles to cope with the loss of his son. Faced with evil, he brings his congregation with him as he searches for God and seeks to gain a more comprehensive understanding of God and his role in our faith. "Seeing God" is a strongly recommended addition to anyone seeking religious fiction with a personal edge.

Adele
Thora Kerr Illing
Rivers West Publishing
706 Yates Street, PO Box 8776
Victoria, BC Canada V8W 3S3
9781927371107, $12.99, www.riverswestpublishing.ca

The new world needed people to live and love in it. "Adele: Wilderness Bride" is a historical romance of the foundation of New France in the seventeenth century. Adele finds her way to the world in a wave of women moving to the colony to meet the men. Literate, she sees herself as the wife of a merchant, but instead finds herself with a farmer. Trying to find love when life twists, "Adele" is a fine pick for fans of romance in history, very much recommended reading.

A Servant's Heart
T. John Calvin
Borderline Publishing
406 S 3rd Street, Boise, ID 83702
9781936408894, $14.95, www.borderlinepublishing.com

There was more than Mary and Joseph when it came to those Jesus could call family. "A Servant's Heart: The Promise 3" is a historical novel focusing on the servants and helpful people that surrounded their family, and their connections to the Lord and savior of humanity. A moving story of the personal story and connections to Christ, T. John Calvin presents a fine pick that is very much worth considering. "A Servant's Heart" is a strong addition to Christian fiction collections, not to be overlooked.


The Aviation Shelf

Barnstorming to Air Safety
Charles S. Collar, Air Safety Chief, NTSB
Lysmata Publishing
7635 SW 56 Avenue #D
Miami, FL 33143-5652
9780966778403 $14.95 LysmataPublishing.com

Former NTSB Air Safety Chief Charles S. Collar presents Barnstorming to Air Safety, an insider's look into the evolution of airplane safety regulations and accident investigations, as well as a behind-the-scenes look into how money and politics can and have trumped the safety of the flying public. Barnstorming to Air Safety also sounds a siren warning against current policies that harm air safety. A handful of black-and-white photographs, a wealth of examples, and plain terms narration guide the reader through the problems threatening the lives of aircraft passengers then and now, in this thoughtful read highly recommended especially for anyone whose current or prospective career might involve a lot of flying time. "In general aviation, it is all very well to use the Madison Avenue approach that airplanes are safer than automobiles because look at the number of people killed in cars. But if there was an equal number of airplanes flying around, I doubt that the statistics would be so impressive. Airplanes are not as safe as automobiles unless they are properly operated, and these days under the relaxed regulations, and with the true facts about airplanes carefully deleted from the operating manuals, they are not going to be."

Amelia Earhart Betrayed
Robert Wheeler and Harold Nicely
American Stripes
351 N. Congress Ave. #115, Boynton Beach, FL 33426
9780985718305, $14.99, www.ameliaearhartcontroversy.com

Was there more to Amelia Earhart's tragedy than a joy flight gone bad? "Amelia Earhart Betrayed" discusses the fate of the famous woman pilot, looking into potential conspiracies that may surround her sudden disappearance, chronicling her journey and how she may have ultimately been the first American casualty of World War II. For those fascinated by Earhart's courageous life, "Amelia Earhart Betrayed" is well worth considering for collections focusing on history's mysteries.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

All Timelines Lead to Rome
Dale Cozort
Stairway Press
1500A East College Way #554
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
9780984907090, $14.95, www.armchairadventuerer.net

A few different decisions a thousand years ago, and the world as we know it changes. "All Timelines Lead to Rome" is a blend of history and science fiction following a glitch in time and space which allows many different timelines for the world to pop up centered around the dominant force of the west, Rome. From Roman involvement in North America, to the enslavement instead of annihilation of our species cousins, Native American Empire, and much more. "All Timelines Lead to Rome" is an enticing read with plenty of intriguing ideas, not to be missed for fans of the genre.

The Pack: Retribution
LM Preston
Phenomenal One Press
PO Box 8231, Elkridge, MD 21075
9780985025106, $11.99, www.phenomenalonepress.com

On a distant world, defending what we love may mean killing the same. "The Pack: Retribution" is the second entry into the Retribution series from LM Preston, telling of Shamira coping with thoughts of revenge and what she must sacrifice to seek it. Valens, one who has grown very close to her, may be the source of her problems. Faced with this inner conflict, Shamira must make many a decision. "The Pack: Retribution" is a strong addition to science fiction and fantasy collections, not to be missed.

The Complete John Thunstone
Manly Wade Wellman
Haffner Press
5005 Crooks Road, Suite 35
Royal Oak, MI 48073-1239
9781893887596, $40.00, www.haffnerpress.com

The paranormal lurks where we don't see it, and it takes a special type of person to face it down. "The Complete John Thunstone" a compilation of novels following Wade Wellman's character who through many short stories and novels, follows the titular character as he faces the supernatural threats throughout Manhattan armed with only his wits and a silver sword cane. "The Complete John Thunstone" is a must for those who love pulp fantasy and fiction, completely compiling the adventures of the beloved character, highly recommended.

Joonie
Daniel Landes
Sakura Publishing
PO Box 1681, Hermitage, PA 16148
9780984678549, $10.99, www.sakura-publishing.com

Changes will come, and how they come is on us. "Joonie: And the Great Harbinger Stampede" is a story told in the style of old folk mythology telling the story of Joonie, a rabbit brought up by the Sun and Moon to stand against the clouds of change and charged with uniting many others to join him and face the feared Great Harbinger Stampede. An evocative read in the spirit of the classic novel "Watership Down", "Joonie" is not to be overlooked, and highly recommended.

The Forever Saga Flash
Sean C. Sousa
Epical Media
12180 Ramona Ave., #73
Chino, CA 91710
9780615686233, $12.99, www.theforeversaga.com

Evil's relentless drive cannot wait til you are ready. "The Forever Saga Flash" is an adventurous fantasy as tyrannical Grigori Geist returns for his second attempt at ending the earth. Old hero Brian Renney struggles his own humanity and family problems as the threat rises. With the threat of war looming, families must mend before it's too late and the planet is lost. "The Forever Saga Flash" is an exciting addition to science fiction adventure novel collections.

The Lesser Evil
E. A. Pappaport
Owl King Publishing
119 Kennedy Drive
Orange, CT 06477-2631
9780978939359, $10.00, www.owlking.com

The alchemy of life is a volatile thing. "The Lesser Evil" is a fantasy from E. A. Pappaport, following reckless Senfra as he's abandoned to his death, and only finds friendship in an outcast Necromancer. On a cursed isle, the unusual allegiance of Senfra and Toth face down the cruelty of a madman who creates harsh creatures out of man and beast alike. "The Lesser Evil" is an exciting action adventure fantasy, worth considering for genre fans.

Tales of a Minstrel
Tala Bar
Pelekinesis
112 N. Harvard Ave #65
Claremont, CA 91711
9781938349003, $10.00, www.pelekinesis.com

The man of music and art crafts those out of his many experiences. "Tales of a Minstrel" is a novel of fantasy from Tala Bar who presents a story in nine pieces following Finbar the minstrel as he counters many curious country and does his part in keeping the world moving on, even if has to save it entirely. "Tales of a Minstrel" is a fun adventure of traditional fantasy, very much recommended reading.

The Bane of Yoto
Joshua Viola
FiXT Book
PO Box 1501, Clarkston, MI 48347
9780985559007, $24.99, www.fixtonline.com

Beyond science, there are forces altering the word as we know it. "The Bane of Yoto" is a science fantasy novel chronicling the battles between te the Numah and the Olokun, as the force of the timeless arbitrators hanging over both in their conflict. Following General Vega and his Olokun force as he faces off against the enhanced being Yoto, everything comes to the forefront. "The Bane of Yoto" is a strong addition for any collection looking to expand its offerings of science-fantasy.

The Tragedy of Fidel Castro
Joao Cerquieria
River Grove Books
PO Box 91869, Austin, TX 78709
9781938416163, $14.95, www.rivergrovebooks.com

Cuba alone could not stand against the might of the United States. "The Tragedy of Fidel Castro" is an original twist on history, taking the story of Bay of Pigs and adding a supernatural religious element. Fatima asks God to save the world from the growing conflict between JFK and Castro, a conflict that will take more than the lives of Cubans and Americans, and Christ may have to return to prevent Armageddon. "The Tragedy of Fidel Castro" is very much recommended reading for those who like religious and alternative history reads, not to be missed.


The Social Issues Shelf

You and the New World Order
Richard Hobbs
ColDoc Publishing
PO Box 50682
Sparks, NV 89435-0682
0964778866, $19.95, www.amazon.com

The world is at crisis, as the problems of the twentieth century seem set to only get worse in the twenty first. "You and the New World Order: How You Can Influence The Alarming and Growing International and Domestic Problems" is a discussion of the world's many problems and how we need to approach them as citizens, advocating much sweeping change to fight against the evils that continue to be perpetuated in today's world. "You and the New World Order" is an inspirational and positive read for the future, with much to consider throughout.


The Memoir Shelf

Entering the Blue Stone
Molly Best Tinsley
Fuze Publishing, LLC
1350 Beverly Road, Suite 115-162
McLean, VA 22101
9780984990818 $14.99 www.FuzePublishing.com

Entering the Blue Stone: A Family. A Passage. A Memoir. is a sobering account of one family's struggle to figure out what to do when their military parents gradually fall prey to senility. Their General father is gradually succumbing to Parkinson's disease, while his wife begins to have bouts of dementia. Their three grown children search for a solution, and hit upon an upscale retirement community as the ideal answer. But after their parents have moved, problems begin to relentlessly crop up, in this insightful and heartfelt story about real-life dilemmas. A thought-provoking read from cover to cover, Entering the Blue Stone is ultimately about learning to appreciate the present moment rather than yearn for an endless future. Highly recommended.

A Combat Medic Comes Home
John A. Kerner
iBooks
1230 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10128
9781596879379, $17.95, www.bricktowerpress.com

The medic is the first line of defense when stopping injuries from turning into tragedies. "A Combat Medic Comes Home" is a memoir from John A. Kerner who shares his stories of serving in World War II as a combat medic, ad shares the story of his life upon returning home and picking up his practice as a physician. A riveting story of doctors at war, "A Combat Medic Comes Home" is a worthy addition to any memoir collection focusing on the second World War.

Heartache and Hope in Haiti
Len & Cherylann Gengel
Trimark Press
368 South Military Trail
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
9780984956845, $19.95, www.trimarkpress.com

Making a difference is a wonderful feeling. "Heartache and Hope in Haiti: The Britney Gengel Story" tells the story of young Britney Gengel, a young American woman who went to Port-au-Prince to aid Haitian orphanages. A 2010 Quake in Haiti devastated the region and took her life, and her parents have chosen to continue her wishes in her memory, working on opening another orphanage in the island nation. "Heartache and Hope in Haiti" is a touching story, very much recommended.

Bumble Creek Farm: A True Story
Janet Farrar Worthington
Cassie Works
300 Autumn Avenue
Huddleston, VA 24104
9781475204889, $9.99, www.amazon.com

Farming has been done for thousands of years, so it can't be that hard to learn for today's people, right? "Bumble Creek Farm: A True Story" is a memoir of learning how to to manage a Virginia farm, and learning to care for their livestock while getting the farmhouse in order. With a touch of humor and plenty of wit for dealing with life in all of its forms, "Bumble Creek Farm" is a must for those seeking a memoir of agricultural life and learning to adapt to it in the modern day.

Adopted Reality
Laura Dennis
Entourage Publishing
2110 Artesia Blvd, #414, Redondo Beach, CA 90278
9780985616816, $14.95, www.adoptedrealitymemoir.com

9/11 did many things to many people, but the pressures drove Laura truly mad. "Adopted Reality" is a memoir of mental illness from Laura Dennis as the former professional dancer shares her experiences and her psychotic episode where she thought she was responsible for the attacks as an Illuminati spy. A story of trying to come back to earth after a break down, "Adopted Reality" is a must for memoir and mental health collections, highly recommended.

I Hear a Song in My Head
Nergesh Tejani
New Academia Publishing
PO Box 27420
Washington, DC 20038-7420
9780984583270, $26.00, www.amazon.com

The drive to heal requires many risks. "I Hear a Song in My Head: A Memoir in Stories of Love, Fear, Doctoring, and Flight" is a memoir of Nergesh Tejani as she shares her stories of succeeding as a doctor in Uganda during the 1960s. A world traveler who has studied in India and America, her time in the African nation holds a special place in her memory. "I Hear a Song In My Head" is a must for those seeking a medical memoir collection, highly recommended.

From New York to Florida
Ellen Kostroff
Bradford Smith (publisher)
PO Box 222, Schenectady, NY 12301
9781467509244, $19.95, www.bradfordgallery.com

The 1920s were time of booming for some, and a time of rapid change for others. "From New York to Florida: An American Family's Life on the Road Between the World Wars" is a family memoir telling of the author's family's journey between the two global conflicts of traveling out the American Northeast and into the warmth of Florida. The journey wasn't easy, camping across forests and beaches all along the way. "From New York to Florida" is an enticing historical memoir, very much recommended reading.

Not In the Club
Janet Pucino
Deep Canyon Media LLC
433 N. Camden, Suite 600, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
9780985902711, $24.99, www.deepcanyonmedia.com

Succeeding against the odds in business often comes with a strong uphill struggle. "Not In the Club: An Executive Woman's Journey Through the Biased World of Business" is a memoir of striking it through the business world as an ambitious woman rising through the male-dominated corporate world. Janet Pucino offers much insight for women looking to break in and succeed, and defy the titular old boy's club that often resonates in corporate culture. "Not in the Club" is a strong addition to memoir and career collections, not to be missed.

Final Drive
Shelly Hess
Dog Ear Publishing
4010 W. 86th Street, Ste H, Indianapolis, IN 46268
9781608449941, $16.99, www.dogearpublishing.com

When everything seems perfect, it can snap away, broken in an instant. "Final Drive" is a true-life testimony from Shelly Hess, telling of one American family facing sudden tragedy and pain, and the long lasting implications of such a traumatic experience. Poignant and resonating with many a reader, "Final Drive" is a worthy addition to any contemporary memoir collection, recommended.


The Journalism Shelf

Beyond the Red Carpet
Francine Brokaw
Sourced Media Books
20 Via Cristobal, San Clemente, CA 92673
9781937458225, $14.99, www.sourcedmediabooks.com

Entertainment is an endless barrage of eccentricity and weird events. "Beyond The Red Carpet: The World of Entertainment Journalists" explores the media side of the entertainment world as Francine Brokaw brings a wide allure of interviews throughout the field and sharing the many stories that make up her career on many levels. "Beyond the Red Carpet" is a strongly recommended addition to memoir and media studies collections.


The Christian Studies Shelf

The True Interpretation Of The Revelation Of John And The Bible
Kostas Tzouvelekis
A Cappela Publishing
PO Box 3691, Sarasota, FL 34230-3691
9780984617746, $19.99, www.acappela.com

The Book of Revelation, often simply known as 'Revelation or' by a number of variants expanding upon its authorship or subject matter, is the final book of the New Testament and occupies a central part in Christian eschatology. Written in Koine Greek, its title is derived from the first word of the text, apokalypsis, meaning "unveiling" or "revelation". The author of the work identifies himself in the text as "John" and says that he was on Patmos, an island in the Aegean, when he "heard a great voice" instructing him to write the book. This John is traditionally supposed to be John the Apostle, although recent scholarship has suggested other possibilities including a putative figure given the name John of Patmos. Most modern scholars believe it was written around 95 AD, with some believing it dates from around 70 AD. Perhaps no other book in the New Testament cannon has been written about so often. "The True Interpretation Of The Revelation Of John And The Bible" is a 292 page compendium by Kostas Tzouvelekis in which he reveals and documents a number of critical errors in tradition interpretations of elements of 'The Revelation of John'. These errors include popular and theological misconceptions such as the proclamation of a Rapture event; seven years of 'Tribulation'; the coming of an Antichrist; the personal return of Jesus Christ to the earth who will war against and defeat the Antichrist. In addition to these common misperceptions, Tzouvelekis also refutes the secular scientific theory of the 'Big Bang'; Superstring Theory; Hyperspace Theory; Dark Matter Theory; and several more prevailing scientific theories seeking to provide descriptive explanations of the Universe. An iconoclastic read, "The True Interpretation Of The Revelation Of John And The Bible" is thoughtful and thought-provoking, making it highly recommended reading which is also available in an ebook edition at www.revlation-decoded.com

Know God and Do The Will of God Concerning Your Life
Kevin Wayne Johnson
Writing for the Lord
c/o FaithWorks
9247 Hunterboro Drive, Brentwood, TN 37027
9780970590268, $10.99, www.writingforthelord.org

Faith can carry many people far, but how does one live up to their part in God's plan for them? "Know God and Do the Will of God Concerning Your Life" is an inspirational read from Kevin Wayne Johnson as he advocates the gospel for everyday life and how to live up to God's will and plans for our lives. With plenty to consider on life and living, taking notes from scripture throughout, "Know God and Do the Will of God Concerning Your Life" is a choice and recommended addition to any faith driven self-help collection.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Walking in Trust
Gayle M. Irwin
Cladach Publishing
PO Box 336144, Greeley, CO 80633
9780981892962, $14.95, www.cladach.com

Pets are vital parts of our life. "Walking in Trust: Lessons Learned with my Blind Dog" is a Christian-influenced pet memoir from Gayle M. Irwin, who shares her experiences with her dog's troubles, and how she coped with her dog's on coming blindness and sought to stick by the dog's soul and help him through the tougher times. With a strong faith driven message, "Walking in Trust" is inspirational and very much worth considering.


The Graphic Novel Shelf

Kmart Shoes
Lance Ward
7th Avenue Productions
3353 Pol St., NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
9780983885443, $14.95, www.seventh-productions-avenue.net

When the world hates you, what little talent you have is what keeps it from utterly crushing you. "Kmart Shoes" is a graphic novel memoir from Lance Ward, as he recounts his life tragedies and abandonment, touching on the aspects of rough life with brutal honesty and his road from tragedy to a life worth living. "Kmart Shoes" is a moving and much recommended addition to graphic novel or memoir collections.


The Parenting Shelf

Seducers Among Our Children
Patrick Crough
Lighthouse Trails Publishing
PO Box 908, Eureka, MT 59917
9780984636655, $14.95, www.lighthousetrails.com

Evil lurks under the most innocuous of sources. "Seducers Among Our Children: How to Protect Your Child From Sexual Predators" is a collection of advice from retired investigative sergeant Patrick Crough, on how to not only protect one's children, but also teach them to protect themselves from sexually abusive persons who will try to lure them. With sage advice on coping with this, "Seducers Among Our Children" has plenty for parents to consider on how to talk to their children about these serious issues.

Attachment Play
Aletha J. Solter
Shining Star Press
PO Box 206, Goleta, CA 93116
9780961307387, $14.95, www.awareparenting.com

There's a better way to reach out to your children than punishment. "Attachment Play: How to Solve Children's Behavior Problems with Play, Laughter, and Connection" is a parenting guide that encourages parents to work with their kids, by downplaying overuse of authority and forming friendships with your kids, and encouraging them to forge friendships with those around them, including siblings. With a powerful message and much to consider, "Attachment Play" is a must for those who want to try parenting methods that don't rely entirely on positive or negative reinforcement.

Ten Powerful Things to Say to Your Kids
Paul Axtell
Jackson Creek Press
2150 Jackson Creek Drive, Corvallis, OR 97330
9780943097091, $15.85, www.jacksoncreekpress.com

Kind words can go far in lifting spirits. "Ten Powerful Things to Say to Your Kids" is an inspirational parenting guide from Paul Axtell as he presents good, solid wisdom on parenting and how to inspire one's children and build a more solid relationship with them on many levels. Sage advice with colorful illustrations all throughout, "Ten Powerful Things to Say to Your Kids" is a wise and much recommended addition to parenting collections, not to be missed.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

What Does That Do?
Laurence J. Street
Kangal Publishing
10333 Royalwood Blvd.
Rosedale, BC Canada V0X 1X1
9781470195021 $25.00 www.amazon.com

Biomedical engineering expert Laurence J. Street presents What Does That Do? Medical Technology Explained for Patients and Visitors, a practical-minded guide to the purpose of various devices commonly found in hospitals. Written in plain terms to be accessible to readers of all backgrounds, and featuring black-and-white photographs on almost every two-page, What Does That Do? can be used either as a quick reference or for cover-to-cover reading. Highly recommended, especially for public library collections, hospital waiting room shelves, and personal perusal of anyone who may be spending time in a hospital, whether for their own needs or to visit a loved one.

The Real Alzheimer's
Suzanne Giesemann
One Mind
622 little River Path, The Villages, FL 32162
9780983853923, $19.95, www.Therealalzheimers.com

The pain of Alzheimer's can wreak much havoc in our lives. "The Real Alzheimer's: A Guide for Caregivers That Tells It Like It Is" is an inspirational guide for caregivers that seeks to prepare them by pulling no punches on the weight of the disease, telling the true stories of many sufferers of the disorders and how their caregivers struggled with them. "The Real Alzheimer's" is a must for general health and wellness collections focusing on Alzheimer's caregivers and their efforts.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

A Time of Change
Aingeal Rose O'Grady
Wild Flower Press
c/o Granite Publishing
PO Box 1429
Columbus, NC 28722
9780926524729 $16.50 http://granite-planet.net

Book one of the "Honest-to-God" series, A Time of Change: Akashic Guidance for Spiritual Transformation is author Aingeal Rose O'Grady's testimony concerning the limitless field wisdom surrounding all humanity. Dubbed the "Akashic field" after the Sanskrit word "Akasha" meaning "ether", this field is a repository of infinite knowledge about the history of life. O'Grady distills an enlightening sample from this field into question-and-answer format, and presents uplifting insights applicable to all walks of life, from modern medicine to the rise of computers and technology to deeply spiritual issues. Some of O'Grady's testimony is deeply metaphysical, and potentially controversial; she does not mince or hedge words when speaking about spiritual ideas, dire problems facing all humanity, or even the mission of Jesus Christ. "Q. Did Jesus ever have children? A. Yes he did. Part of his mission was to bring in the new blood crystals for all of humanity. Q. Has it spread to all of humanity? A. Yes and No. The gene code for the new blood crystals is now inherent in all races on the planet, but it has not yet become actualized in most people. It is up to each individual to purify his or her own consciousness for it to be actualized biologically." A Time of Change is an utterly fascinating delve into the mysteries surrounding our collective lives and souls.


The Psychology Shelf

Landscapes Of The Mind
Lawrence LeShan
Eirini Press
510 Long Hill Road, Guilford, CT 06437
978979998980, $15.00, www.amazon.com

Lawrence LeShan (born 1920) is an American psychologist, educator and the author of the best-selling How to Meditate (1974), one of the first practical guides to meditation. He has authored or co-authored approximately 75 articles in the professional literature and thirteen books on a diverse range of topics including psychotherapy, war, cancer treatment, and mysticism. An interesting side note is that has also written science fiction under the pseudonym Edward Grendon. His latest contribution to the field of psychology is "Landscapes of the Mind: The Faces of Reality", a 216 page compendium offering his own classification system for various aspects and states of consciousness, as well as a structured framework relevant to both the objective and subject aspects of life and how they can be logically and discernibly interconnected. A seminal work that is deftly organized into ten major chapters and enhanced with the inclusion of two appendices, extensive notes, and a comprehensive index, "Landscapes of the Mind: The Faces of Reality" is informed, informative, thoughtful, thought-provoking, 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, and a seminal contribution that is very highly recommended for both academic library Psychology Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Live Your Dreams, Change the World
Joanne H. Gavin, James Campbell Quick, & David J. Gavin
American Mental Health Foundation Books
PO Box 3
Riverdale, New York 10471-0003
9781590563687 $20.00 americanmentalhealthfoundation.org

Live Your Dreams, Change the World: The Psychology of Personal Fulfillment for Women is a practical-guide to understanding how both men and women think - and how women especially can use this knowledge to improve their lives, both in the workforce and at home. Chapters address the psychological strengths that women tend to have (such as communication skills and emotional competence), how to strike a work-life balance, accurately assessing risks and challenges, and much more. "Assertiveness as a skill can be a bit tricky for women given the potential of some men, or even other women, to misinterpret specific assertive behaviors. Skilled use of assertiveness, without aggression, takes practice, feedback, and attentive calibration to the specific context." Accessible and reader-friendly, Live Your Dreams, Change the World is an invaluable resource, highly recommended especially for goal-oriented women.


The LGBT Shelf

Artifice
Alex Woolfson and Winona Nelson
AMW Comics
c/o Michele Karlsberg Marketing and Management
101 Lexington Ave., Staten Island, NY 10302
9780985760403 $19.99 www.amwcomics.com

Originally published as a serial webcomic, Artifice is a full-color graphic novel that tells a cyberpunk same-sex love story. Deacon is an advanced prototype soldier in service to the ruthless NoNeCo Corporation, deployed to exterminate all humans on a remote colony. When the rest of Deacon's team is suddenly destroyed, he must enlist the help of the massacre's sole survivor, a teenager who happens to be homosexual, to contact the Corporation for retrieval. Yet when the Corporation's team finally arrives, Deacon kills them - why? Expert psychologist Clarice Maven is determined to learn precisely what caused Deacon to malfunction so spectacularly! Although Artifice is for mature audiences only, its violent and sexual content is directly in service to a thought-provoking science fiction story that will keep the reader fascinated to the final page. Bonus pages offering the creators' responses to reader questions about the story, a "behind-the-scenes" glimpse into the making of Artifice, and tongue-in-cheek question-and-answer segments from the Corporation's perspective ("Together, we truly can manufacture a brighter tomorrow!") round out this striking, vivid, and memorable graphic novel.


James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
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Oregon, WI 53575-1129
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